"And who might you be?" he inquired, the air heavy with an almost palpable menace.

His question carried an unsettling undercurrent, the calm facade belying the intense intent that sent shivers down my spine.

A sense of imminent danger surrounded him, contrasting sharply with his relaxed demeanor. "I am nothing but a messenger, tasked with delivering a grave warning," I replied.

The obligation to personally inform each Herald arose from the caretakers’ inability to directly communicate beyond the confines of Limbo’s Edge. Eugene’s hand moved towards his rapier, a response instinctual for a Herald.

Fending off his readiness to strike, I hurriedly interjected, "Hold your weapon, please. I bear no hostility. My purpose is to meet Heralds, conveying urgent information of the impending void order assault."

The term ‘messenger’ remained insufficient to dissuade Eugene’s suspicion. "Void Order’s confidence in dispatching a messenger is telling," he mused, suspicion lacing his words.

Eugene’s inclination to battle stemmed from a hero’s instinct, anticipating a void order emissary. Convincing similar Heralds like Jin Meifeng, the Fourth Herald, and Klara Novikova, the Seventh Herald, had proven challenging.

Please trust my words. I am no agent of the void order, only a conduit of vital knowledge, entrusted to navigate the perilous compounds."

Uttering ‘Voidwalker,’ Eugene’s demeanour shifted, his aura diminishing.

"I possess knowledge of the third fragment’s location." I revealed it, prompting a shift from surprise to guarded caution in Eugene.

Eugene contemplated the breach of Herald exclusivity, finally asserting, "Only Heralds are privy to this knowledge, bound by an oath of secrecy." He proposed a test of intentions. "Spar with me."

Caught off guard by the proposition, I hesitated before accepting, grasping the concept of combat as an expressive means of discerning one’s true intentions.

My Glacireave materialised in response to Eugene’s unsheathed rapier. The winds howled, and the bronze platform trembled, signalling our impending confrontation.

Eugene’s figure, still veiled by the blindfold, surged forward with a precision that matched his glinting white rapier. His lithe movements cut through the air, leaving no room for me to exploit them. Time had transformed me; my reflexes, sharper than ever before, allowed me to track his elusive actions.

Gathering my resolve, I flung my chainsaw skyward. It collided with his pristine blade in a dazzling clash, a fusion of crystal and steel. The force of the impact reverberated through my hands, but the scythe held strong. In a breathtaking display, Eugene retracted his weapon and unleashed a torrent of rapid thrusts, each a split-second decision.

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Through my bestowed sensesight, I managed to discern the intricate path of each strike. Tugging on my chains, I redirected the scythe’s path, a dance of deflection amid a symphony of "clangs."

The resonance of our exchange echoed like thunder, a rapid succession of clashes that resonated within the very fibres of my being. Amid the flurry, Eugene’s words rang out, a commendation for my efforts.

The atmosphere shivered as sudden pressure descended, warping reality itself. The ground beneath us caved, a testament to Eugene’s mastery over gravity. The weight of the world intensified around me, a clear indication of his second-phase control over this fundamental force.

My chain-scythe, once a familiar extension, now felt like an anchor of colossal weight. Conversely, Eugene’s rapier became as weightless as a feather in his skilled hands. This contrast allowed his weapon to slip past my guard with alarming ease. Its trajectory aimed straight for me—a lethal promise.

Yet my weapon’s influence lingered from our previous clash. The rapier’s advance stuttered, encased in a delicate frost that halted its deadly path. The clash earlier had turned the tide, allowing me precious moments to evade the imminent threat. Swiftly, I darted aside, a fluid motion born from the fusion of instinct and training.

Without pause, I unleashed my chainsaw once more. It hurtled towards Eugene, its form morphing mid-flight, one half materialising behind him with ethereal speed. The chains coiled around him with startling swiftness, ensnaring him in their grasp.

But Eugene’s body seemed to flicker, an ephemeral half-transparency that defied my grasp. He melded through the chains, becoming a phantom traversing through a different plane. His form solidified once more, his resolute gaze fixed upon me. It was a blessing’s effect, no doubt, that allowed this spectral feat.

His weapon, aglow with an otherworldly radiance, shattered the frost that had enshrouded it. Our battle had shifted and evolved, a testament to our growing understanding of our abilities. The ebb and flow of power and the interplay of elements and skills danced in harmony. This fight, a symphony of supernatural forces, continued with renewed vigour.

**

"Excellently done," Eugene complimented, his brow glistening with perspiration even in the chilly ambiance.

Our duel concluded in a tie achieved through my expended efforts, while Eugene seemed to possess more tricks to spare. This friendly contest served as a gauge for my burgeoning prowess. In a genuine battle, Eugene’s victory would likely be secured, albeit narrowly.

Though I wielded considerable strength, my abilities still paled in comparison to a true hare’s might. These individuals were veritable titans, embodying the essence of the extraordinary.

"Observing your tactics, I can affirm that your intent was not lethal, as you avoided striking at my vital points," Eugene noted astutely, a discerning insight into my approach. "Your demeanour mirrors that of a dedicated student. I’m willing to listen."

Seating himself, Eugene attentively absorbed my narrative, recounting my experiences within Limbo’s Edge. The caretakers, the impending threat posed by the Void Order—it all flowed from my lips, painting a vivid tapestry of looming danger.

Eugene’s response was prompt and resolute. "I grasp the urgency. While I mobilise my allies, I’ll be stationed at the designated location. The Void Order’s awareness of the fragment’s whereabouts remains uncertain. Should their knowledge surface, a signal will reverberate through our connection, alerting me to the impending danger."

Prior to departing, I presented him with a token akin to the one I had bestowed upon Kei—a black watch. After ensuring Eugene adorned it, I readied myself for the journey that lay ahead.

I was about to encounter the strongest human ever.